THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

Interestingly, economic trends have not changed. Sin blinds us to the point where the story repeats itself over and over again. For example, have you ever heard of something like this happening?

The poor are everywhere. The banks have ruined the country. They invested the people's deposits in various speculations, exceeded their funds, and as the result some have failed, and others have closed, so that the people are poor and helpless. Thousands are destitute of money; they are thrown out of work, and distress is everywhere…The land boom has cursed this country. Extravagant prices have been paid for lands bought on credit;… A house to be built calls for more money, and then interest with open mouth swallows up all the profits. Debts accumulate, and then come the closings and failures of banks, and the foreclosures of mortgages. Thousands have been turned out of employment; families lose their little all. They borrow and borrow, and then have to give up their property and come out penniless. Much money has been put into farms, bought on credit or inherited with an incumbrance. The occupants lived in hope of becoming real owners, and it might have been so, but for the failure of banks throughout the country. *1

Ellen White in this letter written in 1890 describes the condition of Australia and the reason why the country was in recession. We could do a lot of speculation about what will happen with the economy these days. Political leaders and economists see our status as part of a cycle which fluctuates over the decades. Many have already said that the recession has surely come to an end but that it will take some time to recover. Now I don’t need to emphasize that every economist understands the impact that positive information has on consumers. That is, if economists were to say that the economy is in terrible condition and the recession is not really over then no one will make investments, create jobs or spend large sums of money. While some factors appear to be improving here are some factors that seem to say the opposite:

• High unemployment rates (likely to increase)
• Estimates of more than 25 million jobs lost in the 30 most powerful countries in the world.
• The unemployment rate could rise to 10% in these 30 countries.*2
• The situation with banks is not improving.
• Banks still have many losses (real estate, business investments).
• They are paying their executives millions.
• A return to risky investments.*3
• Increased membership in labor unions.
• These unions heavily supported President Obama.
  He has made many promises to favor unions and win their support.
• He preferred the support of unions then to improve relations with other nations (China) *4
• Instability in the mortgage industry
• Specifically home sales

Add to this a combination of factors that did not exist or at least were not at the levels they are today.

• Globalization (Increased interdependence among nations)
• General instability of world
• Climatic changes
• Increase in wars and terrorism
• Widespread panic
• Increased in the number of natural disasters
• Limited natural resources
• Over population
• Increase in poverty
• Lack of food (1 Billion people)
• Increase in violence
• Increase in diseases
• God’s spirit moving away from this world
• The impending return of Jesus!

It is my firm conviction that this economy will not improve or at least ask the Lord that it does not improve. The United Nations stated that the number of people suffering from hunger, for the first time in the history of this planet, is 1 billion. This represents almost one sixth of the world population. The number of people starving to death continues to increase but the report said the amount of aid received this year is the lowest it has been in the past 20 years. The organization needs more than $6.7 billion and so far only it only had $ 2.6 billion. Moreover, selfishness and greed lead to people lead people to think only about themselves rather than to help out all of these people that are in need.

Interestingly, the servant of the Lord also prophesied about the increase in membership in labor unions.

The trades unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.....In the world gigantic monopolies will be formed. Men will bind themselves together in unions that will wrap them in the folds of the enemy. A few men will combine to grasp all the means to be obtained in certain lines of business. Trades unions will be formed, and those who refuse to join these unions will be marked men...These unions are one of the signs of the last days.... Those who claim to be the children of God are in no case to bind up with the labor unions that are formed or that shall be formed. This the Lord forbids. Cannot those who study the prophecies see and understand what is before us? Important issues must soon be met, and we wish to be hid in the cleft of the rock, that we may see Jesus, and be quickened by His Holy Spirit. We have no time to lose, not a moment.*5

After the third angel's message is preached and the righteous have been sealed but before the end of the time of grace there will be a short time of peace.

For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.*6

My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere.*7

These events are occurring all around us just as they were prophesied. Unfortunately, we are asleep so we haven’t been praying for the refreshing power of the latter rain to descend upon us that we may preach this message with great power. Jesus is at the door all the signs indicate it. Are you ready? Stop trying to accumulate wealth in this world and put your eyes onto heaven sky. Accumalate treasures in heaven where everything will be eternal!

THE LORD IS COMING!

1 * Manuscript Releases, Ellen White and the Australian Depression of the 1890's
2 * http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8259032.stm
3 * http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/ap_on_bi_ge/us_meltdown_same_old_wall_street_4
4 * http://blogs.reuters.com/james-pethokoukis/2009/09/16/obama-risks-trade-war-to-help-union-allies/
5 * Marantha The Lord is Coming!, “Labor Unions and Trust”, Ellen White
6 * 1 Thessalonians 5:3
7 * Marantha The Lord is Coming!, "Short Time for Peace, Ellen White